Virginia Beach, VA (Law Firm Newswire) February 26, 2015 – When a parent becomes incapacitated and is no longer able to manage his or her own finances, a child or other caregiver needs to step in to pay bills and manage money and costs. Taking over a parent’s finances can be difficult, especially in the midst of the other challenges that families face during a loved one’s illness. “If you are taking over your parent’s finances, a systematic, structured approach to gathering information is a great starting point,” said Andrew H. Hook, a Virginia elder law attorney with Hook Law […]

Virginia Beach, VA (Law Firm Newswire) January 26, 2015 – ]With a baby on the way, new parents should prioritize making a basic estate plan. An estate plan is one of the most important building blocks for a growing family. “In the midst of all the other changes associated with becoming a new parent, an estate plan is essential to protect your children in case anything should happen to you,” said Andrew H. Hook, a Virginia estate planning attorney with Hook Law Center, which has offices in Virginia Beach and northern Suffolk. An estate plan can ensure that children will […]

Virginia Beach, VA (Law Firm Newswire) December 15, 2014 – When a person becomes incapacitated and is no longer able to make medical, financial or legal decisions, it becomes necessary for another person to step in and make decisions on his or her behalf. Power of attorney and guardianship are two vehicles by which this may occur. A power of attorney is a legal document which a person uses to designate someone to act on his or her behalf if he or she is incapacitated. A power of attorney can be general, granting the agent power over all of the […]

Fairfax, VA (Law Firm Newswire) December 30, 2013 – Planning one’s estate should be paired with planning one’s retirement, says a prominent estate planning attorney. Lisa McDevitt, a Virginia estate planning attorney with the McDevitt Law Firm, said that while many people only think of wills and trusts when they think about estate planning, they should actually be thinking about retirement planning at the same time. “Of course estate planning includes creating a will and any necessary trusts to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you die,” said McDevitt. “But in order to make sure […]

White Plains, NY (Law Firm Newswire) December 24, 2013 – There are a few essential legal documents that every adult should have. People tend to think about putting these documents in place as they get older, but they are actually important for adults of every age — and there are certain milestones in life that make them essential. Some may envision putting a last will and testament in place later in life. However, every adult with any assets should have an estate plan, including a will and any necessary trusts. If this plan has been neglected earlier in life, then […]

Palo Alto, CA (Law Firm Newswire) December 23, 2013 – A prominent estate planning attorney says digital assets need to be considered as part of estate planning. “In today’s world, many people own significant assets that exist only in digital form, whether it is currency such as Bitcoin or items of sentimental value such as family photos,” said Palo Alto estate planning attorney Michael Gilfix. “There needs to be a plan to pass these assets on to one’s heirs.” Gilfix said that online assets may also include such items as PayPal accounts, frequent flyer miles, iTunes libraries, online gaming accounts […]

Bloomfield Hills, MI (Law Firm Newswire) September 19, 2013 – As part of estate planning, two of the most important documents an individual can have are a healthy care proxy and a durable power of attorney. Both documents allow others to make important decisions should one become incapacitated. But an issue may arise when the two people who are overseeing the estate, the health care proxy and the durable power of attorney, do not work well together, or do not see eye-to-eye. It is imperative, then, that the people chosen for these important roles are individuals who can get past […]

White Plains, NY (Law Firm Newswire) August 30, 2013 – Partners in a committed, unmarried heterosexual or same-sex relationship may wish to consider what would happen the event that their partner becomes incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. When there is a medical emergency or a critical event, hospital staff may only allow one family member access to the patient. Many partners who are not legally married have found that whether they have access, or do not have access to the patient, can be at the discretion of hospital staff. Doctors must defer the opinions and wishes to the […]

White Plains, NY (Law Firm Newswire) August 23, 2013 – Though a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can distress a patient and their loved ones, elder care advocates indicate it is critical they immediately begin advance planning for financial arrangements and health care. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease of cognitive decline, but it can last for many years. Putting plans into place early can help make a significant difference in how that time can be spent. If someone suspects that there are memory issues or other cognitive concerns, they should see a neurologist, geriatric assessment clinic or memory clinic for testing. If […]

Nashville, TN (Law Firm Newswire) June 29, 2012 – For Americans, getting behind the wheel and turning the ignition is the ultimate freedom. Our cars symbolize our independence and allow us to go where we want, when we want. It’s tough to give up those freedoms. If you’ve had to confront an aging loved one and demand their keys, you understand this emotional and practical problem. This article focuses on maintaining control over your life for as long as possible by executing a durable power of attorney. Why do I need a durable power of attorney? • To make long […]